Bob died at the age of 83 on July 18, 2009 following a courageous battle with cardiomyopathy and renal failure.
He was born on Aug. 4, 1925 to John P. and Josephine Hess. He attended schools in Chicopee, MA. After graduating from high school, Bob enlisted in the Navy. He served as a radioman in the South Pacific on the island of Samoa. Upon his discharge in 1945, he took advantage of the GI Bill and went to Trinity College in Hartford, CT. When he graduated, he began teaching in Somers, CT.
In 1948, he married Adele Cote. They had seven children, Kristine, Jo Ann, Debbie, Bobby, Laurie, Adele and Lisa. The marriage ended in a divorce in 1985.
Bob spent his life as an educator, teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Farmingdale School district for over 35 years. He spent 30 of those years in Howitt Jr. High.
In 1987, he married Marilyn Gambino. They relocated to Jacksonville, FL.
Bob loved the beach, golf (the good games as well as the bad ones), working on the landscaping of his home and rooting for any sports team from Massachusetts.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Plainedge Baptist Church, 96 Stewart Ave., Bethpage.
